I have three local bits of beer news today, so let's start with the good news: Peche Mortel Day will once again be celebrated in style at The Foundry in Northampton.

Once again, the renowned Canadian brewery, Dieu Du Ciel! in Montreal is will be providing The Foundry with seven highly respected coffee imperial stouts for this world-wide event, which takes place on March 24 this year. The beers in this year's lineup are the 2018 Peche Day Mortel (a 9.5 percent coffee imperial stout), the 2017 Bourbon version, a 2018 Bourbon one, a Framboise (raspberry), a Houblon(hoppy), a Latte (lactose), and a Termopilas (coffee variation)

The Foundry will offer ticketed private sessions from noon-5 p.m. and then will be open to the public at 6 p.m. Session 1 will run noon to 2 p.m. with the second session running 3-5 p.m. The doors open to public at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $40 each. Attendees to the private sessions will receive seven 4.5-ounce tasters. The Foundry will also offer a $50 admission for two people who wish to share the event and split the tasters. Tickets are available only at The Foundry, 24 Main St. No tickets are available online and there are no service charges. Tickets are transferable and refundable but not refundable within 48 hours of March 24.

Food Menus will be offered for anyone who wishes to dine and other beers on tap or in bottles will also be available during event. A gratuity is not included in the ticket pricing so The Foundry asks that patrons tip their servers.

The next two items may not fall into the "bad" category, but they certainly are not good for the beer industry.

First, as you may have read elsewhere, Opa Opa restaurant and brewery in Southampton is up for sale. According to a listing by Cannon Realty in Easthampton, the asking price of $799,000 includes the business, brewery equipment, the building, 1.5 acres of land and the liquor license. Opa Opa was the first venue of a trio owned by brothers Tony and Themos Rizos, who also own a larger brewery, The Brewmaster's Tavern in Williamsburg, and Kaptain Jimmy's in Agawam, a restaurant and micro-distillery.

Opa Opa opened in 2001, when brewer extraordinaire Dan Kramer served as brewmaster before he moved on to open his own venture, Element Brewing in Millers Falls. Although I haven't been there in years, I'll always remember my first visits back in 2001, when I first met Dan, Tony and Themos.

In another sign of the times, as craft brewing world gets increasingly competitive , Northampton Beer and Winemaking Supplies will be closing its storefront on King Street after 42 years in business. Ask any old-school homebrewer (and a number of local professionals) and they will tell you they got their start by shopping at the store. I wish the ownership and staff well in whatever new ventures they pursue.